York University named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers
By annette | April 22nd, 2013 | IRIS News, News, Sustainability News
The following appeared in the April 22 edition of YFile.
York University has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers in an announcement released today by Mediacorp Canada Inc.
The University was named along with 54 other organizations in a competition organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers project.
“This award recognizes the incredible efforts of York students, faculty and staff who take action every day to raise awareness and reduce our impact on the environment,” says York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “We have made significant strides to date and will continue to lead by example in achieving results that make a meaningful difference.”
The green roofs on the Petrie Science & Engineering Building and the Lassonde Building are a big part of sustainability initiatives underway at York University
Employers were evaluated and ranked on their unique environmental initiatives and programs, success in reducing environmental footprints and employee involvement in sustainability efforts.
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Work in a Warming World at York receives vast research archive on environment
By annette | March 28th, 2013 | IRIS News
The following was published on March 27, 2013 by YFile. W3 is a project affiliated with IRIS.
Work in a Warming World (W3) at York will be one of the recipients of the vast archive of publications and consultants’ reports by the soon-to-be defunct National Round Table on the Environment & the Economy (NRTEE). What Carla Lipsig-Mummé, director of the W3, calls a “treasure trove” of resources that will now survive the NRTEE’s demise.
The federal government is closing the NRTEE March 31 after 25 years of research on the environment and the economy. It was set up as an independent, non-partisan research body reporting to the federal minister of the environment, but also providing advice to the 
prime minister. Its closure was announced in the spring of 2012.
Carla Lipsig-Mummé
The NRTEE conducted rigorous research and analysis on issues of sustainable development, convening opinion leaders and experts from across the country to share knowledge
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Film Fest Explores Law and Activism Around Food
By annette | March 25th, 2013 | IRIS News
MICHAEL LONG – The following was originally published in the Obiter Dicta.
In the second running of the Focus on Sustainability Film Festival, an event co-created by the Osgoode Environmental Law Society (ELS) and co-produced by the Planet in Focus International Environmental Film Festival (PIF), the YorkU screenings welcomed not only the campus crowd, but attendees from the wider community. The theme of the festival (food), as well as the afternoon discussion panel attracted foodies interested in both the impressive film selection and even more inspiring panel.
The panel, moderated by YorkU MES Candidate Jessica Reeve, included three notable figures in the Toronto food scene: lawyer Carly Dunster, Harmony Organic’s Lawrence Andres, and food activist and Chef Michael Stadtlander. In the 90 minute panel, the audience was mesmerized to hear about the niche field of food law, the growth and success of the local organic milk industry, and the anti-GMO activism(…)
Are YoU a water Zombie?
By annette | March 21st, 2013 | IRIS News
Are you aware of water issues? Do you want to talk about the phase out of the sale of bottled water? Are your actions hurting disenfranchised people worldwide? Do you want to take action and make a difference here at York and beyond? The third “unconference” in the Zombie series will explore everything to do with water at an open forum Monday.
“Are YoU a Water Zombie? How can we be water wise?” will take place March 25, from 10am to 3pm, at 280N York Lanes, Keele campus. Lunch will be provided and everyone is invited to drop in throughout the day and participate for as much or as little of the discussions as they can.
The purpose of this unconference is to create a forum for students, staff and faculty to have open conversations around social justice, human rights, sustainability and water(…)
Plenty to cheer about during York’s Earth Hour celebrations
By annette | March 18th, 2013 | IRIS News
The following was first published in the Monday, March 18 edition of YFile.
York is celebrating Earth Hour 2013 and there is plenty to cheer about, including a reduction in energy use at the University.
The event will kick-off Wednesday, March 20, with opening ceremonies beginning at 2:30pm at Michelangelo’s, lower level of 
Atkinson College, Keele campus. Talks, games, poetry, dinner, music and a lantern walk will follow, wrapping up with a closing ceremony at 9pm. Click here for the full schedule.
The good news? York has reduced its annual energy costs and greenhouse gases by more than 20 per cent, according to Brad Cochrane, director of energy management at Campus Services & Business Operations (CSBO). York approved an Energy Performance Contracting Program in 2006 to invest in plant and building system renewal and retrofit projects, which are almost complete, to reduce annual energy costs and greenhouse gases by 25 per cent.
“Results have
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